SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A conference at the MassMutual Center for western Massachusetts college students who are determined to go into business for themselves, and 22News found out how determined some young people are to make it on their own.

Mother of six Alethea Stevenson graduates from Springfield College in the spring. She already has dozens of clients for her after school learning center. What’s the secret of her success?

“You definitely want to go to college, because going to college will help you become a better person. It will help you meet more people, it will help you build relationships because of college,” Stevenson said.

Bay Path University senior Janice Jackson of Springfield followed her dream to create an online handmade jewelry business.

“I was 17 and in high school and I had to pay some bills, and I was very crafty, so I decided: why not combine the two and start a little business?” Jackson said.

“I always wanted to have my own business, I’ll probably go into the workforce and I definitely will keep Lavyndel. It’s a passion.”

Janice and Alethea shared their success stories with hundreds of Western Massachusetts college students anxious to gain a foothold in the world of business. And when they’re not running their businesses they’re studying to earn their degrees in psychology.